FIFA backs Nigeria football reform plan after accepting NFF officials’ resignations

FIFA has accepted the resignations of the principal officers of the Nigeria Football Federation and will continue discussions with the Nigerian government, the NFF administration and the Confederation of African Football over a comprehensive reform plan for the country’s football.

The decision was reached during a meeting at FIFA House in Zurich, Switzerland, on Tuesday. Representatives of FIFA, CAF, CAF advisers, the National Sports Commission and the NFF administration agreed to continue working on a roadmap for reforms covering the short, medium and long term.

The process is intended to produce a more inclusive NFF and establish a peaceful and stable environment in which the federation can operate effectively. The wider objective is to support success both on and off the pitch, while strengthening the structure and development of Nigeria football.

The meeting brought together senior officials from the organisations involved in the reform discussions. Nigeria’s delegation was led by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko.

He was joined by the NSC Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade; former NFF President and ex-FIFA Council Member Amaju Pinnick OFR; NFF Ag. General Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme; and the federation’s Director of Legal Services, Okey Obi Esq.

Amaju Pinnick attended in his official role as Special Advisor to the CAF President and Deputy Chairman of the FIFA Men’s National Teams’ Competitions Committee.

CAF 2nd Vice President Kurt-Okraku and FIFA’s Director of Member Associations (Africa), Gelson Fernandes, also took part in the meeting.

The parties agreed that further engagements and interactions would be needed to refine the reform roadmap. Those discussions will be conducted in line with the relevant rules, regulations and Statutes governing the organisations and the administration of football.

The reforms are expected to focus on creating an inclusive new NFF and ensuring that the federation has the conditions required to deliver its responsibilities in a stable and effective manner.

The National Sports Commission said the engagement between the NSC, the NFF administration, CAF and FIFA remains ongoing.

“Mutual engagement among the National Sports Commission, the NFF administration and the Confederation of African Football is ongoing with FIFA on the comprehensive reforms of Nigeria football, including agreeing a roadmap going forward in accordance with the relevant rules, regulations and Statutes, and indeed there is no doubt Nigeria Football will emerge much better and properly-structured after the conclusion of this process,” stated NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko.

FIFA’s acceptance of the resignations forms part of the continuing process, while the organisations involved work towards agreeing and implementing the wider roadmap for Nigeria football.